We’ve been reading about it for what seems like ages, looking over images of the FCC prototype with a magnifying glass, and now Nintendo is showing it off at its E3 press conference. The company that Mario built is trumping up how superior its glasses-free technology is better than others, “a solution that lets you take 3D gaming along with you wherever you go” according to Reggie. The upper screen is surprisingly only 3.5-inches, not the wider that we’d expected. There is a slider on the side that lets you tweak the 3D effect, seemingly enabling you to adjust its depth based on your distance from the screen — or turn it off entirely. As with the current DS, the bottom is a touchscreen, and is not 3D.

Details about a device rumoured to be Nintendo’s 3D gaming handheld console have been leaked ahead of the E3 video games expo in Los Angeles this week

Pictures and design specifications of the new 3DS handheld have been published online. Both Wired’s website and video gaming site Kotaku have quoted a Chinese blogger who claims to have a development kit for the 3D gaming console.

Nintendo has so far refused to confirm or deny the accuracy of these reports, which come before the first day of E3, the annual video games showcase where developers and publishers unveil there newest titles and devices for the coming year. While motion-sensor gaming interfaces such as Project Natal and PSMove are set to grab headlines, industry analysts are expecting 3-D gaming to feature highly on the agenda at E3.

That’s what looks to be an analog stick on the side there, as well, that Nintendo is calling a “Slide Pad.” There is a gyro, motion sensor, it’s compatible with DSi games, and has two cameras enabling 3D photos. Nintendo is also talking up partnerships including Disney, games that are said to be playable today, at the show, with one of the highlights being a new Kid Icarus game which looks quite action-packed to say the least — and has better graphics than most of the Wii titles Nintendo has shown thus far. Nintendo has mentioned the 3DS will have the “biggest launch support ever” from third party devs, and a 3DNintendogs should be a huge seller — if only because it has cats too. Other games include Madden, Ninja Gaiden, Resident Evil, a Batman title, Splinter Cell, and, finally, a Metal Gear Solid entry.

Nintendo is also talking about how the system will seek out WiFi hotspots or other 3DS systems “without you knowing,” which sounds a bit ominous, to be honest. Systems can communicate regardless of which games are being played. It can even pull in new DLC directly from other consoles, all without a monthly fee.

Complete press release and full list of launch games after the break, including some biggies, like Metal Gear Solid “The Naked Sample,” Madden, FIFA, and more!

Official specifications for the 3DS console are expected to be announced at Nintendo’s E3 press briefing on Tuesday of this week.

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